

For example: “counting to ten” when you’re frustrated or angry. The Amygdala & Mindful Awareness Mindful thinking results when the prefrontal cortex is allowed to process sensory information that arrives at the amygdala. Mindful or Unmindful Glue your mindful or unmindful worksheet to your LPD journal Add at least two more pairs of mindful or unmindful examples to your LPD journal When we get very angry, stressed out or overly anxious, the amygdala kicks off and hits the fingers to open the fist. Fold your finger over the top of your thumb to form a fist. The tip of your thumb is your amygdala and the rest of your thumb is the hippocampus. Hand Model Please raise you hand and fold your thumb inside your hand. A mindfulness students is a self-aware, self-controlled and compassionate person. A mindfulness students make sound decisions rather than ruled by their emotions. It is a skill that can be developed by paying close attention to our present situation and our role in it. Mindful Awareness Attending to the here and now – other people, the environment, a concern or challenge – in a considerate, nonjudgmental ways is called mindful awareness. Pick up a strip at random What is the worst thing that could happen? What is the best thing that could happen? What is most likely to happen? How is our responses related to the roles of the amygdala, PFC, and hippocampus. Fold up the strips and put them in a paper bag. Social-emotional learning Write down two situations that might prompt your amygdala to signal danger – one situation in which the danger is real and one in which it is not. What worked best? What did’t work at all? Think about the kinds of things you did and said. What would they say to each other? Write about a time when you helped someone calm down. Write a conversation among your PFC, amygdala, and hippocampus. Journal Writing Choose at least one of the following to response in your journal: Imagine that your amygdala is overreacting. Do you notice any effect on your PFC’s functioning? Do you feel calmer? Is your thinking clearer? Then use your hippocampus to focus on an especially happy memory. Describe how your PFC is working right now. Is your amygdala more like a runner, a statue, or a fighter? Try a before-and-after experiment. Below your picture, describe how your amygdala most often reacts to danger. Journal Writing Choose at least one of the following to response in your journal: Draw a cartoon of the usual mode of action your own amygdala. If you could choose one job with the prefix neuro- or brain in the job title, what would it be and why?Īction Once a Day Pick a specific time to stop and self-assess: Do your responses reveal the involvement of your amygdala (reaction) or your PFC (reflection)? If your amygdala is being activated, what is triggering its response? What would you like to change about your style reaction?

Team Brain Reflect What does your brain’s quarterback (the prefrontal cortex) do? What does your brain’s blocker (the amygdala) do? What does your brain’s coach (the hippocampus) do?Ĭareer Connection Find out as many word as you can that starts with “Neuro” How does your body immediately react? What are you thinking? Whet experience can you draw on? Refill your worksheet (Brain Power) Imagine you are walking to school and you see ahead of you, blocking the side walk, a large group of bigger kids you don’t know. Prefrontal cortex (thinking) Amygdalae (emotions) Hippocampus (memories)Ī football Team Prefrontal cortex - quarter back Amygdala – blocker Hippocampus – coach Parts of the brain operate like a team, each part with a position and job to do. What kind of skill drills could you invent that would help you be creative of help you concentrate? How people acquire different skills Mind Skills Discussion You might: Read the poster Research for internet Watch the video, etc. Write only 1 question on each post it note When you are done, stick the question on the appropriate big chart paperīrain Power Finish the brain Power worksheet Burning Questions Write 2 or 3 ‘W’ or ‘H’ questions on post it note
